THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP discussion

I've heard mixed and sometimes contradictory opinions of Harry Truman's performance as president at the end of World War II. It's probably appropriate for a president who has at times been considered one of the worst and best US presidents.

Did he do a good job given the lack of knowledge or preparation he had going into the job (FDR kept him in the dark) or was he acting full of false bravado, covering insecurities with kneejerk aggressive decisions?

Did he hate the Japanese or do people who attribute revenge as a motivating factor in the use of the atomic bombs "attribute to him malice he did not possess"?

How honest was he in his private writings in regards to the Soviet involvement against Japan and the use of the atomic bombs?

A few relevant books:

I've not read anything on him Josh, but must get around to it and have by David McCullough on my TBR.

Geevee wrote: "I've not read anything on him Josh, but must get around to it and have by David McCullough on my TBR."

I have to admit that McCullough is one of my favorite historical authors, but I think Truman is one of his best books. A real must read.

As to the question if Truman had to drop the bomb - I read a book recently ( by Tillman I think) that said he couldn't not drop the bomb. I think I agree with that. If it came out that he had a weapon that would have ended the war and he didn't use it and had to invade the home islands, and incurred that same type of casualities that happened on Okinawa, think of repercussions.

I just read Eagle Against the Sun: The American War With Japan and am finishing up The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War. Both cover Truman's role in critical parts of the conflicts. I thought Spector was evenhanded in his evaluation of the decision to drop the bomb. Halberstam is a bit uncritical of Truman's performance with the start of the Korean war and handling MacArthur. I will probably pick up Truman at some point, at least to read the sections on WWII and the Korean War.

I thought The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War was excellent. There has been alot written about the Marines and Chosin, but the experiences of the Army on the other side of Korea hasn't been given its due. His description of the destruction of major parts of the 2nd ID was heart rending, as well as their recovery in the Spring of '51 and Ridgeways effect on the morale and fighting ablity of the 8th Army.

Sounds like The Coldest Winter might be a book to read then! Lucky I have a copy in the library ready to go :)


by David Halberstam

I know we're not a Korean War group but I have these on my TBR (I think Rick has read one or both?) and they may interest people:

and by Andrew Salmon

I'm yet to read The Last Round Geevee, maybe a buddy read one day ?

I want both of those but will be expensive to acquire.

Shame about that, hopefully they will be published by a US company soon. What did you think of The Coldest Winter?

Just posted my review. A damn good book but could have been better. Well worth reading.

Excellent review - looks like I will have to try and read it soon.

A buddy read sounds good - Mike no chance of obtaining via inter-library loan in the US?

Josh wrote: "I've heard mixed and sometimes contradictory opinions of Harry Truman's performance as president at the end of World War II. It's probably appropriate for a president who has at times been consider..."

My book out in June has Curtis LeMay discussing his talks with Truman about the bombs, and Truman's opinions.

Mike wrote: "I just read Eagle Against the Sun: The American War With Japan and am finishing up The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War. Both cover Truman's role in critical p..."

My book out in June has LeMay discussing the Korean issue with Truman and others, especially Ridgeway. I interviewed Ridgeway and gathered his opinions, He was not highly critical of MacArthur, but he did have certain reservations about Truman's decisions, including sacking MacArthur. LeMay offered to solved the problem in 24 hours, but Truman declined his offer.